Harrod fire fighters honor one of their own

Tuesday, January 28, 2014 4:11 PM

•••

HARROD — An emotional week filled with memories, laughter, tears and
heartache filled the community of Harrod last week. An outpouring of
love, thoughts and prayers came in abundance for the family of Allen
Hughes who died suddenly on Jan. 18, leaving friends and family in
shock. At only 52 years old, Hughes, described as someone who
would help anyone at anytime, was gone.

Losing Hughes so quickly has touched many in this area and
surrounding communities. He owned his own business, was a true family
man and was also a firefighter for Harrod. A firefighter, someone who
would put his life on the line for anyone. This is a family outside of
family. They have lost a brother. They are grieving and trying to go one
without one of their own: Firefighter 56.

A memorial service was held on Friday, Jan. 24, followed by a tribute
that has left many without words to describe all of their emotions.
Hughes' casket was lifted up by his fellow firefighters in full gear, to
be carried on top of a fire truck to his final resting place in
Westminster. The caravan of fire trucks, rescue squads, hazmat and other
township EMS personnel led the rest of those with funeral flags on
their vehicles as they entered Harrod. Going past the Harrod Fire
Department and under the huge flag, the lights were on, the sirens were
sounding and the processional continued on in his honor.

Once at
the cemetery, Hughes was lifted gently down from the truck and carried
to the tent. Then came the last call for Firefighter 56. As the Allen
County voice sounded over the radios, there was an eerie silence that
filled the blustery cold air. Wind was pushing the snow and the biting
cold had fingers and toes numb, but that silence broke though all of it.

As the crowd stood there, watching the firefighters salute their
fallen brother one last time, there was a calmness to the wind. Above
the tent for just a few seconds, a slight rainbow appeared and was
suddenly gone. An amazing tribute to honor a man that has touched so
many has left an imprint on the hearts of everyone in attendance that
day.